A Leesville man has been charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after a shooting incident involving young children. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 3-year-old being shot at 35-year-old Fernando Mejia’s home. Chief Detective Rhonda Jordan says once investigators arrived at the residence they found a 40-caliber gun in the bedroom….

Cut 3 (08) “…children were playing.”

Investigators determined that the injured child was playing with Mejia’s 3-year-old, who found a loaded .40 caliber handgun hidden under a pillow.

A bill awaiting the governor’s signature seeks to clarify Louisiana’s concealed carry law that allows spectators at parades or demonstrations to carry concealed weapons, doesn’t allow participants in a parade to carry. Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka…

Cut 11 (11) “…in a parade.”

A new audit shows that DCFS workers continue to be overworked. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to pay for various projects. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says a significant portion will be used to update the outdated OMV computer system. There will also be money for water sector improvements for local water systems.

Cut 7 (10) “…going to that.”

A Leesville man has been charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after his 3-year-old found a .40 caliber handgun hidden under a pillow in the man’s bedroom and accidentally shot another 3-year-old visiting their home. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to home of 35-year-old Fernando Mejia’s. Mejia is currently being held in the Vernon Parish Jail charged with failing to properly secure the firearm. He is also subject to a detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sheriff Sam Craft says gun safety should be practiced at all times…

Cut 5 (10) “…grab it easily.”

The child is reportedly hospitalized in stable condition and being released from intensive care.

A new audit shows that DCFS workers continue to be overburdened with their caseloads. Julie Floyd, a senior performance auditor at the Louisiana legislator’s office, says there has been an increase in recent years in vacancies, especially in front-line case workers.

Cut 12 (08) “…to increase salaries.”

She says DCFS and the state have implemented special pay mechanisms to encourage employees to stay. However, a staffing and salary analysis showed that it’s inconclusive as to whether those special mechanisms were leading employees to stay.

The legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund. Andrew Greenstein reports that represents a small overall portion of the fund.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A bill clarifying Louisiana’s concealed carry law that allows spectators at parades or demonstrations to carry concealed weapons, while maintaining the ban for participants of the events is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka on why he believes the legislation is necessary…

Cut 9 (12)  “…cannot carry.”

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a 35-year-old Leesville father after a three-year-old shoots another three-year-old. Deputies say one of the children found a handgun beneath a pillow on the bed and accidentally fired the weapon, striking the other child in the shoulder and chest area. Chief Detective Rhonda Jordan says it appears the victim will recover…

Cut 4 (09) “..regular room”

But Fernando Mejia is facing one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

A bill waiting for Governor Landry’s signature clarifies a state law on who can carry a concealed handgun at a parade. Parade goers can, but a participant in the parade or a float rider cannot. New Orleans Representative Alonzo Knox is current law…

Cut 10 (10) “…defenseless”

The bill applies to all government-permitted parades or demonstrations,

The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year, albeit clearing only half the money for the L-A GATOR program as what Governor Landry had asked for. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry wants to expand the program so more families can receive state assistance to pay for private school or homeschool expenses.

Cut 14 (12) “…play out.”

The Louisiana Legislature is close to approving an additional 709-million dollars to pay for shovel-ready road projects. The money will come from the Revenue Stabilization Fund. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says a total of one-point-billion dollars will be taken out of that fund for economic development initiatives, improvements to local water systems and improving OMV’s computer system…

Cut 8 (09) “…stop that”

St. Tammany Parish sheriff deputies have charged a Hammond man with second-degree murder for allegedly leaving his 21-month-old daughter inside a hot car outside a Madisonville-area home for more than nine hours.

Cut 8 (09) “…there around noon”

That’s Lt Suzanne Carboni who says deputies say 35-year-old Joseph Boatman consumed multiple alcoholic beverages before leaving the little girl strapped in her car seat.

A Leesville man has been charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after a shooting incident involving young children. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 3-year-old being shot at 35-year-old Fernando Mejia’s home. Chief Detective Rhonda Jordan says once investigators arrived at the residence they processed the scene.

Cut 3 (12) “…children were playing.”

Investigators determined that the gun was accidentally discharged, striking one of the children in the shoulder-chest area. The injured child is improving at a hospital.

The legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to pay for various projects. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says that includes about 709-million dollars for shovel-ready road projects that will be completed within one year.

Cut 6 (11) “…falling in line.”

McFarland says millions of dollars are also going to colleges, local water systems and OMV for a new computer system.

The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year. It contains 30 million dollars in high-dosage tutoring and 199-million for teacher stipends. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there is a 45-million-dollar difference in spending for the L-A GATOR scholarship program.

Cut 13 (08)  “…cutting it back.”

Congressman Clay Higgins is making another effort to mandate random drug testing for members of Congress. He has reintroduced the Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act, which calls for at least one random drug test per term, with positive results referred to the Committee on Ethics. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan calls this a political stunt.

Cut 4 (09) “…voting against it.”

Higgins first proposed this back in 2018.

A Hammond man is charged with second-degree murder after his 21-month-old daughter dies in a hot vehicle. St. Tammany Parish deputies say 35-year-old Joseph Boatman placed the girl in a car seat in his pickup truck and left her there for more than nine hours. Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says alcohol likely played a role in Boatman’s lack of sound judgment.

Cut 9 (08)  “…multiple alcoholic beverages.”

With LSU and their rabid fans headed to Omaha for the College World Series, one restaurant across from the ballpark is getting ready. Every year, Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina sells Jell-O shots in the colors of the eight participating teams. Owner Kevin Culjat (KULL-jit) says when LSU went two years ago, they really cleaned up.

Cut 10 (09) “…happens this year.”

One dollar for every shot sold goes to the school’s local food bank.

The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year, albeit clearing only half the money for the L-A GATOR program as what Governor Landry had asked for. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry wants to expand the program so more families can receive state assistance to pay for private school or homeschool expenses.

Cut 14 (12) “…play out.”

If Congressman Clay Higgins has his way, all members of Congress would take a random drug test at least once per term. The Southwest Louisiana Republican has reintroduced the Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it allows Higgins to promote clean living and law and order.

Cut 5 (06) “…would oppose it.”

A Hammond man is arrested after his 21-month-old daughter dies in a hot vehicle in Madisonville over the weekend. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says 35-year-old Joseph Boatman picked up his daughter after getting off work early Sunday morning.

Cut 7 (14) “…inside the car.”

Lieutenant Carboni says the girl was buckled into that car seat for more than nine hours in scorching hot conditions.

It appears that Anne Kirkpatrick’s leadership of the New Orleans Police Department is paying dividends. The latest survey by the New Orleans Crime Coalition shows public satisfaction with the New Orleans Police Department is now at 47-percent – that’s up from 40-percent a year ago and just 31-percent when Fitzpatrick took over as NOPD superintendent in 2023.

Republican Congressman Clay Higgins is reintroducing a bill that would mandate random drug testing for members of Congress.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The girlfriend of one of the two inmates who remain at-large following the Orleans Parish jailbreak has been arrested. Twenty-eight-year-old Darriana Burton has been charged with conspiracy to commit simple escape. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Burton has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Derrick Groves for three years. She’s also a former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s correctional office.

There are three more days left in the legislative session as lawmakers must conclude their work by 6 PM Thursday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the insurance reform legislation was completed a couple of weeks ago. He says it was a top priority for the Landry administration and lawmakers…

Cut 15 (08) “…concentration.”

A bill that received final legislative passage on Monday creates an individual income tax credit for residents who pay for a fortified roof that can help reduce storm damage during a high wind weather event. Supporters say a fortified roof can also help lower a homeowner’s insurance premium.

Later this week LSU fans will arrive in Omaha for the College World Series. Two years ago when the Tigers won the national championship, Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina sold more than 68-thousand purple and gold jell-o shots and owner Kevin Culjat says a portion of the proceeds go to food banks in the Omaha area and to the team’s local food bank…

Cut 12 (09) “…that pretty easy”

St. Tammany Parish sheriff deputies have charged a Hammond man with second-degree murder for allegedly leaving his 21-month-old daughter inside a hot car outside a Madisonville-area home for more than nine hours.

Cut 8 (09) “…there around noon”

That’s Lt Suzanne Carboni who says deputies say 35-year-old Joseph Boatman consumed multiple alcoholic beverages before leaving the little girl strapped in her car seat.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has re-introduced legislation that would require each member of Congress to be randomly drug tested once per term. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says there’s a good chance this bill will not come up for a vote in the House, but if it did, it would be a tough no vote…

Cut 6 (10) “…I don’t know”

Game time has been set for LSU’s first game in the College World Series. The Tigers will take on Arkansas at 6 PM on Saturday night in Omaha.

One restaurant across from the site of the College World Series is gearing up for the onslaught of LSU fans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A new audit from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office finds that there are 129 vacant child welfare positions statewide and workers’ caseloads jumped from nine to almost 16 cases a month. DCFS says it remains committed to strengthening its frontline workforce.